1. November 6, 2001 State of Maine Referendum Election Affordable Housing
Bond Vote
2. "Maine could be the FIRST state in the nation to end homelessness! Read
how... "
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Note: Please forward this entire message, including the below forwards, on
to others whom you know - especially anyone living or working in the State
of Maine
-------Forwarded FYI-------
1. November 6, 2001 State of Maine Referendum Election Affordable Housing
Bond Vote:
State of Maine <http://www.state.me.us>
Upcoming Elections <http://www.state.me.us/sos/cec/elec/coming.htm>
November 6, 2001 Referendum Election
Ballot Questions:
http://www.state.me.us/sos/cec/elec/ref01q.htm
~~~Excerpts:
November 6, 2001 Referendum Election
Ballot Questions
(in the order they will appear on the ballot)
Question 1: Bond Issue
"Do you favor a $12,000,000 bond issue to provide:
1. The sum of $10,000,000 to address the affordable housing crisis in Maine;
and
2. The sum of $2,000,000 to provide housing for victims of domestic
violence?"
--snip, snip, snip--
Maine Citizen's Guide to the Referendum Election (Intent and Content):
http://www.state.me.us/sos/cec/elec/intco01g.htm
Department of the Secretary of State
<http://www.state.me.us/sos/>
Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions
Division of Elections
<http://www.state.me.us/sos/cec/elec/>
101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101
Phone 207-624-7650
Fax 207-287-6545
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2. "Maine could be the FIRST state in the nation to end homelessness! Read
how... ":
Maine Council of Churches:
http://www.mainecouncilofchurches.org
~~~Special Initiatives:
Maine could be the FIRST state in the nation to end homelessness!
<http://www.mainecouncilofchurches.org/homeless.html>
Senator Beverly Daggett Addresses Homelessness at Maine Council of Churches'
Legislative Day
At the 2001 Maine Council of Churches' Legislative Day at the Maine State
Capitol in Augusta, Council staff, representatives from Maine's homeless
shelters and state government officials gathered in the Hall of Flags to
hear how Maine can be the first state in the nation to end homelessness. The
speech below was given by Democratic Senate leader, Beverly Daggett, who is
sponsoring a $20 million bond that would provide more low-income housing in
Maine.
The National Law Center on Homeless and Poverty lists national statistics on
homelessness - during the past year, over 2 million men, women and children,
nearly 1% of the US population were homeless. Over three million poor
Americans had worst case housing needs, paying more than 50% of their
incomes on rent, while HUD estimates this figure should be no more than 30%.
Fewer than 30% of those eligible for low-income housing receive it. The
private stock of extremely low-rent units fell by almost 500,000 units
between 1985 and 1993. Incomes for the poorest Americans have not kept pace
with rising housing costs. A missed paycheck, a health crisis, or an unpaid
bill pushes poor families over the edge into homelessness.
These are national statistics - What about right here in Maine, right here
in my home town of Augusta? Over the last year, 90 kids were desperate for
housing although most teens do not consider themselves homeless but drift
from home to home of friends and acquaintances. In 1999, the Family Violence
Project provided 106 bed nights in November. In 2000, 189. In 1997, the
Bread of Life provided 800 bed nights. In 2000, 3400. Bread of Life
Ministries has turned away between 300 & 400 people due to the
unavailability of beds.
These are the reasons why I've submitted a bill which would provide for a
$20 million Affordable Housing Bond. This bond will be written to provide 6
different ways to continue the fight against homelessness.
1) $3.5 million will provide for low interest loans and grants for the
renovation, replacement, and preservation of affordable apartments,
including small, owner occupied buildings while maintaining affordability.
2) $2 million to non-profit community-based housing development
organizations to help with pre-development costs and capacity building.
3) $5 million for MSHA to provide one-time capital subsidies for a broad
range of transitional and permanent housing for low income mental health
consumers.
4) $2 million for transitional and permanent housing for victims of domestic
violence.
5) $5 million for transitional and permanent housing for people who are
homeless.
6) $2.5 million for acquisition of land in distressed areas, providing
grants and low interest loans to enable developers to lower their cost of
land thereby lowering the cost of the housing.
Homelessness is intolerable, but it is not inevitable. It's time for us to
join together and end the desperation of homelessness.
UPDATE: THE MAINE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, THE MAINE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS,
REPRESENTATIVES FROM MAINE'S HOMELESS SHELTERS AND OTHERS RALLIED TOGETHER
AND COLLECTED 10,OOO SIGNATURES IN SUPPORT OF THE BOND FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. AS A RESULT, A BOND WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, ASKING CITIZENS
OF MAINE TO VOTE ON A REFERENDUM QUESTION THAT WOULD ALLOCATE SOME $12M FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. DETAILS WILL SOON BE POSTED ON THIS SITE REGARDING THE
BREAKDOWN OF THE BOND ISSUE. A "YES" VOTE ON QUESTION NUMBER 1 WILL BE THE
FIRST STEP TOWARD ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN MAINE.
Maine Council of Churches Supports Campaign to End Homelessness
There are presently almost a million Americans who are homeless every day of
the year. On an average night, about 1,000 Maine residents suffer
homelessness, a number that is relatively small and manageable.
IF WE ADDRESSED THE SYSTEMIC CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS, MAINE COULD BECOME THE
FIRST STATE IN THE UNION TO END HOMELESSNESS!
The Maine Coalition to End Homelessness is sponsoring a major petition drive
to win the support of its citizens and elected officials in addressing this
issue directly and reallocating the needed resources to eliminate
homelessness in our state. The Maine Council of Churches, which assumed
managerial responsibility for the Maine Coalition for the Homeless two years
ago, supports this effort and is encouraging its member churches,
denominations and organizations to join the Coalition's initiative to end
homelessness in Maine.
THE COALITION STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE $20,000 BOND ISSUE FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING FOR THE NEEDY, as lack of affordable housing is a prevalent cause of
homelessness. The Coalition believes it is seriously wrong to oblige Maine
citizens to have to decide between care for a sick child, or a roof over
their heads.
The proposed bond could be used to finance low income housing, or housing
that would provide services/accomodations for those homeless people
requiring monitoring and supervision in a group home setting. This housing
would be affordable for those working low income or minimum wage jobs and
would reduce reliance on homeless shelters.
THE MAINE COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS IS ASKING PEOPLE TO SIGN A PETITION
INDICATING AGREEMENT WITH THE GOAL TO END HOMELESSNESS BY PROVIDING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE POOR THROUGH THIS BOND ISSUE.
The petition is simply a "show of support" for the bond issue. You can
express your concern for the needy and homeless by signing the petition and
by calling your local legislative representative and telling her/him that
you support this initiative and urge your legislator to do so as well.
Ending homelessness is a moral issue. The Catholic Bishops have stated: "The
moral measure of any economy is how the poor and vulnerable are faring." If
we believe that statement, then we must judge our economy poorly as the gap
between the rich and the poor is increasing rapidly.
If you wish to join this noble endeavor by signing the petition below (or
you may wish to have your friends and neighbors sign it also!) and offering
your support, please print this page, sign the petition, and send it to
"Campaign to End Homelessness," c/o Maine Council of Churches, 15 Pleasant
Avenue, Portland, ME 04013.
During the past five years, the number of homeless persons in Maine
increased by a rate of 17% PER YEAR! It's time to change that!
Homelessness in Maine - Some Startling Facts
--There are approx. 1,000 homeless persons every night in Maine. About 600
sleep in shelters for the homeless...the others with family, friends or on
the street.
--About 98% of the homeless live on resouces that are below the poverty
level.
--More than half of teh homeless suffer serious, long-term mental health
problems, another 25% have periodic mental health problems.
--One out of five homeless person has a medical problem, about half a
substance abuse problem.
--Seven Maine shelters serve youth; nine serve victims of domestic abuse.
--On an average night, close to 30% of the residents in shelters are under
18.
--The number of homeless adults and children in shelters has increased
regularly during the past five years, a period of economic prosperity.
YOU CAN CHANGE THIS BY URGING LEGISLATORS TO PASS A BOND ISSUE TO PROVIDE
LOW-INCOME HOUSING. START BY GOING TO THE POLLS IN NOVEMBER AND VOTING. A
"YES" VOTE ON REFERENDUM QUESTION 1 IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD ENDING
HOMELESSNESS IN MAINE.
PETITION TO END HOMELESSNESS IN MAINE
NOTE: PLEASE PRINT THIS PAGE, SIGN, AND MAIL TO: "Petition to End
Homelessness in Maine", Maine Council of Churches, 15 Pleasant Avenue,
Portland, Maine 04103
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REPRODUCE THIS FORM AND TO ASK MEMBERS OF YOUR
CONGREGATION OR COMMUNITY TO JOIN YOU IN SIGNING IT.
________________________________________________________________
We, the undersigned:
-- KNOW that homelessness is a serious problem in Maine and that it is
getting worse.
--BELIEVE it is unacceptable to have nearly 1,000 persons homeless every
night.
--WANT to end homelessness in Maine and BELIEVE it is possible to do so.
--COMMIT ourselves to work in our own communities toward ending homelessness
by the year 2006.
--HEREBY PETITION our elected and appointed public officials to COMMIT with
us to end homelessness in Maine by the year 2006.
--DECLARE OUR STRONG SUPPORT for a major statewide bond issue for affordable
housing and transitional and long-term support services for those in need.
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-------End of forward-------
Note:
Please forward this entire message, including the above forwards, on to
others whom you know - especially anyone living or working in the State of
Maine
Morgan <norsehorse@hotmail.com>
Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier Vermont USA
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